Tuesday, March 5, 2013

One of my favorite songs all time is "Superstar," It's been recorded many times, by several artists, and I always find something to love about every single version!

Originally, the song was called "Groupie" and it was about groupies! Such as Sweet Connie and Pamela DesBarre. I have an acquaintance in Paducah, KY who was actually a high school classmate of Connie Hamzy....aka "Sweet Connie." I remember when a former co-worker of mine came to Paducah from Little Rock, I asked him, "Did you ever met Sweet Connie?" He didn't know who I was talking about, and I thought, "Oh man...that's a part of rock n roll history!" Then again....that also may have been to his credit. The song, "Superstar" or "The Groupie" was written by Delaney and Bonnie. Here's the way it originally sounded...

The song was later recorded by The Carpenters and became a HUGE hit!

Even Sonic Youth has recorded a cover of "Superstar." Probably my least favorite version, and that's pretty lame if you can't top The Carpenters....just sayin....

Without a doubt my favorite version is Luther Vandross. I really like Luther's styling and what he did with the song. He may have been the last really great "song stylist" we've had. The kind of singer who could take ANY song, and make it his own... (notice how from about halfway on, Luther uses the Echoplex...a VERY powerful tool in live performances today)